During Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 A.D., Pompeii and Herculaneum in today’s Italy were preserved as they were on the day of their destruction. Particularly at Herculaneum, furnishings were carbonized beneath volcanic ash. This was pivotal to understanding how Classical Roman furniture was designed. Archaeological investigations and printed reproductions of discoveries would influence styles evoking this ancient civilization, from the Renaissance to neoclassicism.
While knowledge of Classical Roman furniture comes from rare surviving pieces, it is also derived from frescoes and sculptures portraying Roman life. Much of Roman art, architecture and design was informed by Greece — Roman architect, military engineer and writer Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, whose timeless De architectura is taught in contemporary architecture classes and pays tribute to classical architecture, visited Greece while working under Julius Caesar and admired the country’s architectural developments. The Roman solium references the Greek thronos, a stately chair of honor with an upright form and footstool. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe and into North Africa and Western Asia, the expansion of trade for silver, silk, marble and wood allowed for more luxurious designs.
Classical Roman furniture was made from bronze, wood and stone — in particular, marble — with ornate touches like tortoiseshell veneers, bone and glass inlays and claw feet. Ornaments depicting lion heads and mythological figures were sculpted from silver, bronze and ivory. Compared to the decorative attention given to the mosaic floors and wall paintings, however, furniture for even a wealthy house was minimal. It focused on the necessities for guests arriving for both socializing and business and the rooms housing family, relatives and enslaved people.
The triclinium dining room had banquet couches, items so prized they were sometimes interred with the deceased. Tall bronze or terracotta candelabras held oil lamps for lighting. Carved marble tables reflected status, while the lararium home shrine demonstrated faith.
Find a collection of Classical Roman decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.
Sofa Settee 3-Seater Crimson Cut Velvet Italian Toni Facella Sensi Della Penna
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
An opulent, cut-velvet, three seater sofa, by Italian architect & designer Toni Facella Sensi della Penna This sofa epitomises elegance, opulence and com...
Velvet
Sheepskin 2-seater sofa with a warm cognac brown colour scheme
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This beautiful sheepskin leather 2-seater sofa features a warm cognac brown colour and is beautifully finished with black piping. It is fitted with loose seat cushions. A good sofa ...
Leather, Sheepskin
Luxury brown smooth cow leather Chesterfield sofa with an English look
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This stunning smooth cowhide leather Chesterfield sofa is, partly thanks to its beautiful dark brown color, an amazing eye-catcher in almost any interior. It features loose seat cush...
Cowhide, Leather
Set consisting of a English cowhide Chesterfieldsofa and matching armchair
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This amazing set, consisting of a cowhide Chesterfield sofa and an armchair, is a stunning eye-catcher in almost any interior thanks to its beautiful red colour. They feature loose s...
Cowhide, Leather
Red 2.5-seater Chesterfield sofa on wheels in English style
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This beautiful 2.5-seater Chesterfield sofa in English style, upholstered in genuine cowhide leather, has a distinctive character and a timeless appearance. Its deep red color makes ...
Cowhide, Leather
English cowhide Chesterfield 2.5-seater sofa in a stunning red colour
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This amazing English cowhide Chesterfield 2.5-seater sofa, thanks to its beautiful red colour, is a stunning eye-catcher in almost any interior. It features a loose seat cushion and ...
Cowhide, Leather
Unique sheepskin 3-seater sofa with deep colours and a distinctive design
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This unique three-seater sofa is upholstered in genuine sheepskin leather and features beautiful natural tones and a distinctive design. It is fitted with loose seat cushions and fin...
Leather, Sheepskin
Sheepskin 3-seater sofa from the late 20th century with removable armrests
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This luxurious and spacious sheepskin leather three-seater sofa dates from the late 20th century and features removable armrests. The fabric seat and back cushions are reversible, al...
Leather, Sheepskin, Fabric
Art Deco Schuitema 2.5-Seater Leather Sofa, Hand-Crafted Dutch Design
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered here is this Art Deco Schuitema 2.5-seater leather designer sofa from the Decoforma series, featuring unique woodwork. This stunning Art Deco sofa is made by the top Dutch br...
Leather, Wood
$13,600 / set
H 30.71 in W 35.44 in D 35.44 in
Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchairs for Arflex, 1962, Set of 2
By Arflex, Marco Zanuso
Located in Lonigo, Veneto
Marco Zanuso "Square" Armchairs for Arflex, camel velvet, Italy, 1962, set of two. The design of Marco Zanuso's "Square" armchairs, produced for Arflex in 1960s, reflects his commit...
Velvet
$8,122 / set
H 43.31 in W 71.66 in D 29.53 in
Seating Set of Baroque Sofa and Two Armchairs, Budapest, 1870s
Located in Budapest, HU
Beautiful baroque seating set consisting of a sofa and two armchairs. Extraordinary workmanship of the woods made according to the canons of the ti...
Velvet, Wood
$12,077 / item
H 33.47 in W 59.06 in D 33.08 in
Custom Made Sheepskin Love Seat Sofa by Alfred Christensen
Located in London, England
A custom-made new edition of this classic love-seat sofa by Danish designer and cabinetmaker: Alfred Christensen. This re-edition is produced under license in Sweden by Dagmar and av...
Sheepskin, Fabric, Mohair, Bouclé, Velvet, Oak, Walnut
Tufted Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
Crafted from premium top-grain leather, this sofa boasts a rich caramel hue that invites warmth into any living space. The intricate button-tufted detailing on the backrest provides ...
Leather
$12,159 / set
H 29.14 in W 86.23 in D 30.32 in
LUXURY VINTAGE SERPENTiNE HAND DYED RESTORED BROWN LEATHER CHESTERFIELD SOFA
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored Vintage hand dyed cigar brown leather serpentine fronted Chesterfield club sofa...
Leather
$10,868
H 27.56 in W 68.51 in D 32.88 in
Small Restored Chesterfield Victorian Whisky Brown Leather Sofa
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored Victorian circa 1880 hand dyed Chesterfield two-seat sofa with fully but...
Leather, Mahogany
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 32 in W 73 in D 32 in
Scandinavian Modern Cognac Brown Leather 3 seat sofa by Søda Galvano Norway
By Soda Galvano
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Beautiful Scandinavian Modern Tan Leather 3 seat sofa by Søda Galvano Norway for Lied Mobler. Beech frame with dark stain with beautiful cognac brown leather upholstery. Made in Norw...
Leather, Birch
$10,868
H 29.93 in W 85.83 in D 35.63 in
1950's Hand Dyed Restored Cigar Brown Leather Chesterfield Club Sofa English
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this original 1950’s cigar brown leather Chesterfield club sofa in lightly restored condition with fully buttoned base and solid walnut turned feet...
Leather, Beech, Oak
Vintage English Leather Chesterfield Sofa
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Envision transforming your living space with this remarkable vintage leather Chesterfield sofa, a true masterpiece of mid-20th century British craftsmanship. This sofa is more than j...
Brass
$5,230
H 31.5 in W 80.71 in D 41.34 in
RESTORED HAND DYED LEATHER 2.5 SEATER CHESTERFiELD TETRAD OSCAR SOFA
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London This restored 2.5 seater Chesterfield sofa is the celebrated Oscar model by Tetrad, a design that reinterprets the traditional Chesterfield with a more relaxed, ...
Leather
Danish Two Seat Sofa in Cognac Leather
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Sofa, leather, mahogany, Denmark, 1960s Wonderful Danish two seat sofa. The brown leather shows a light patina and is in good condition, showin...
Leather, Wood
$18,500 / set
H 29 in W 104 in D 33 in
1960’s Adrian Pearsall Sectional Sofa Set with Matching Cocktail Table
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful vintage Adrian Pearsall sofa set. It features 2 sofas and a coffee table. The pieces have been redone in a stunning Italian Romo broken stripe Velvet in Epingle Gunmetal ...
Upholstery
Comfortable vintage sheepskin 2.5-seater club sofa
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This fantastic sheepskin sofa has a great vintage look and beautiful warm colours. It can be easily placed in almost any interior. Not only in a home environment, but also in, for ex...
Leather, Sheepskin
Antique Italian Cherrywood Sofa
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Cherry wood center sofa, early '900.
Cherry
An Italian Walnut Classical Sofa
Located in New York, NY
An Italian walnut Classical sofa with hand-carved frame, the triple arched back and seat upholstered in 18th Century needlework with detailed petit-point depicting the celebration of...
Walnut